Ang Cellphone Na Kinuha Ni Husband

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*Chapter 4:

Ang Cellphone Na Kinuha Ni Husband*

Pagdating sa mansion, tahimik si Elara sa biyahe. Hindi siya kinakausap ni Draven, pero hawak pa rin ang kamay niya — mahigpit, parang ayaw siyang pakawalan.

Pagpasok nila sa mansion, Draven locked the main door.

"Elara, sit."

Elara crossed her arms, "Ayoko. Galit ako sa'yo! Pinahiya mo ako sa palengke! Bakit mo ako hinalikan dun?! And dinala mo ako na parang sako ng kamatis!"

Draven removed his suit jacket, his white polo sleeves nakatupi pa rin, kita ang ugat sa braso — super gwapo pero super galit din.

"I kissed you because you were smiling at another man. And I carried you because you disobeyed me. I told you not to go to the market."

"Hindi mo ako anak para utusan! Contract lang to, Draven! Hindi mo ako pag-aari!"

Draven walked towards her, slowly. Every step made Elara's heart beat faster. Hanggang sa corner na siya ng sala, wala nang atrasan.

"I know it's a contract," he said, his voice low, dangerous. "But for one year, you signed that you will be my wife. My wife doesn't hold hands with other men in the market. My wife doesn't smile like that to other men. My wife... only looks at me like that."

He was so close now. Elara could feel his breath on her face. His eyes were dark, jealous, but also hurt.

"Bakit ka ba nagseselos? Eh hindi mo naman ako mahal! Contract lang!"

Draven's jaw clenched. He looked away, as if he was hiding something.

"Do you think I would kiss a woman I don't... care about? In front of many people? I never kissed anyone, Elara. You are my first. My first kiss, my first wife, my first jealousy. So don't tell me I don't care."

Elara's eyes widened. First kiss niya rin yun kahapon, pero first kiss din pala ni Draven? The 34-year-old virgin billionaire?

"First kiss mo rin yung sa palengke kahapon?" tanong ni Elara, mahina na boses niya.

Draven nodded, almost shy. "Yes. I waited. And I gave it to you. So don't waste it by giving your smiles to Jonas."

Elara's anger slowly melted. She saw not a suplado billionaire, but a man who waited 34 years and is now scared to lose his wife.

Pero bago pa siya makasagot, biglang tumunog phone ni Elara — _ting!_ Message from Jonas.

> *Jonas:* Elara okay ka lang? Sorry kanina ha. Nag worry lang ako. Free ka ba mamaya? Kape tayo?

Draven heard it. Of course, he hears everything.

He extended his hand. "Give me your phone."

"Ano?! Hindi!"

"Elara. Phone. Now."

"Hindi! Privacy ko to!"

Draven didn't wait. He took the phone from her apron pocket gently but firmly. He read the message, his face became darker.

He typed a reply.

> *Elara:* Don't text my wife again. She is busy being Mrs. Valiente. - Draven

Then he blocked Jonas. Deleted the chat. And turned off the phone.

"DRaven!! Ano ba! Phone ko yan!"

"From now on, I will be the only man texting you. I will be the only man calling you. If you need something, tell me. Ako lang."

"Seloso ka talaga!"

"Yes, I am. And I won't apologize for it," Draven said, putting her phone in his pocket. "You can have it back tomorrow, if you promise you won't go back to the market without me."

Elara almost cried in frustration, "Eh paano nanay ko? Gusto ko siya dalawin!"

"I'll take you. Tomorrow, after our City Hall wedding. We will visit your mother together. As husband and wife."

Elara tahimik. She looked at his pocket where her phone was, then at his face na seryoso pero may concern.

"Sige na nga... pero ibalik mo phone ko bukas ha!"

Draven finally smiled, a small smile. "Good girl."

Then he did something unexpected.

He hugged her. Not a rough hug like in the market, but a soft, tight hug, his chin on top of her head.

"Sorry if I was harsh in the market, wife," he whispered. "I just... I don't know how to handle this. I never felt jealous before. I never cared about anyone before. Ikaw lang. So when I saw you with him, parang... parang mawawala ka."

Elara's heart melted completely. She hugged him back, slowly.

"Okay lang... pero next time, wag mo ako halikan sa harap ng maraming tao nang walang warning! Nahiya ako!"

"Then don't smile at other men," Draven said, still hugging her.

That night, they slept again in the same bed. Pero this time, walang unan sa gitna. Draven removed it himself.

"Husband, saan unan?" tanong ni Elara.

"Wala nang unan. I want to hold my wife properly," Draven said, then he pulled her into his chest, spooning her from behind. His arm around her waist, his breath on her neck.

Elara was stiff at first, pero dahil pagod siya sa palengke drama, nakatulog din siya sa warm arms ng virgin billionaire niya.

And Draven? He stayed awake for hours, just looking at her sleeping face, holding her like she was the most precious thing he bought — no, the most precious thing he was given.

"Good night, my tomato vendor wife," he whispered and kissed her hair.

He knew this was just a contract. One year only.

But in his heart, Draven Valiente already knew...

He will never let her go after one year.

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